Historical Marker
Rhonesboro
Historical marker location:
Gilmer, Texas
( 11 mi. W of Gilmer at the intersection of SH 154 at FM 1002)
Marker installed: 1967
Founded 1902; Named for W. M. Rhone, only sawmill operator in area until 1901, when arrival of Marshall & East Texas Railroad created a town which grew to have 15 sawmills, 10 stores, 2 churches, a school, hotel, bank, gin, and cotton yard.
Mill operators were Connally; Barton and Smith; McWhorter; Cone and Watkins; Whitter; Dacus; Waterman; Nolan; James; Swann; Beavers and Meek; P. K. Williams; M. C. and F. C. Florence; Roger and J. O. Schrum.
After pine forest here was depleted (1917), the mills moved and the railroad was abandoned.
Texas is known for its love of football, and the state has produced many great football players, including legends like Tom Landry, Earl Campbell, and Vince Young.